he) 
4 
the one found in South-eastern Siberia, as stated by Dr. Radde, not having been able to examine 
a specimen from there. This gentleman writes (Reis. im Siid. von Ost-Sib. ii. p. 195) as follows :— 
“In the middle of September these birds were migrating in small flocks on the willow-covered 
shores of the Amoor, in the Bureja Mountains. I procured a nest from near Selenginsk; it 
breeds there on the island of Selenga, and builds its nest chiefly of sheep’s wool, in which goat- 
and horsehair, and occasionally dry grass straws are interwoven. Here the inhabitants call it 
Remess (a name which has extended from the Slavonic countries also into North Germany). 
The Mongols place great faith in the healing power of the nests of this bird; in order to cure 
intermittent fever one must inhale the smoke of a burning piece. The nest soaked in hot water 
is placed on parts of the body to cure rheumatic pains. Besides this, the Mongols and Russians 
living on the borders of Mongolia believe that when the nest has two openings the pair inhabiting 
it disagree, and, on the other hand, when, as is usually the case, it has but one opening, the male 
keeps watch there during the breeding-season. ‘There are said to be nests with three entrances.” 
I am indebted to Mr. Taczanowski, of Warsaw, for the following notes on the habits and 
nidification of the present species :—‘“ One can easily be aware of the presence of the Penduline 
Titmouse by its call-note, which resembles that of a Wood-Wren, but is much softer ; and it does 
not become silent on the approach of any one. It builds in the poplar and alder trees in the 
woods, or in the willow bushes, always near the water or in the marshes. ‘Their nests are 
suspended at different heights, and are in some places very inaccessible. They are found from 
2 to 3 metres from the ground, and in dry districts as high as 10 to 20 metres, and are seldom 
concealed in the dense foliage, but generally built in an open situation. All the nests that I 
have seen were constructed of vegetable substances; but I have received specimens from the Syr 
Darya, in Eastern Siberia, which contained camel’s and goat’s hair, and also sheep’s wool. To 
complete the structure they use some fibres of hemp or a bit of delicate bark taken from the 
branches of a species of willow. These fibres they attach to the extremity of a fine and flexible 
branch, and then line it with the down of willow, poplar, or rose-trees, and marsh-cotton, always 
commencing from the bottom and proceeding upwards. The interior contains a thick mass of 
down. ‘The exterior is very thick and strong at the bottom. All nests, when finished, have an 
opening at the side through a curved passage which inclines gradually downwards. All nests 
with two entrances are unfinished ; however, they have several times been found containing eggs ; 
but whilst the female is sitting the male finishes the structure by degrees. To build a nest it 
generally takes about four weeks. In colour the nest is pure white; but when it contains much 
marsh-cotton it has a brownish tinge. The dimensions of three nests are as follows:—No. 1, 
length 63 inches, width 34, diameter of an opening 1; no. 2, length 64 inches, width 4, diameter 
of an opening 1; no. 3, length 5 inches, width 33, diameter of an opening 1. The number of 
eggs is generally from five to seven. They are hatched about the end of May; and by the 
beginning of July the young birds leave the nests. According to Professor Kessler this species 
is common enough in the districts of Kiew and almost everywhere in the three governments 
mentioned in his work.” 
I possess several nests from Southern Russia and from Piedmont. Several of the latter are 
entirely constructed of flax, one being ornamented with small pieces of red and blue wool; and 
one from Southern Russia is composed entirely of marsh-cotton. Eggs in my collection from 
